ALBUQUERQUE N. M. >>> "One more shot," Rigoberto Sanchez said amid the tomb-like quiet of the University of Hawaii’s locker room Saturday night.
"Just one more shot."
The Rainbow Warriors’ place-kicker and punter had implored the football gods to grant him a redemptive field-goal opportunity late in the fourth quarter after missing a 22-yard attempt wide left with 2 minutes, 14 seconds that might have sealed UH’s first road win of the season.
Instead, an interception with three seconds remaining denied Sanchez his hoped-for shot and UH fell victim to New Mexico’s 28-27 comeback victory.
"I was hoping to make up (for the miss), to make it up to the team," Sanchez said.
With a ball cap pulled down, Sanchez was in little mood to talk about the two field goals he did make, 49- and 47-yarders that had staked the ‘Bows to a 27-21 lead with 12:59 left in the game.
"Those weren’t the ones that mattered," Sanchez said.
It was an uncharacteristic miss for the kicker who has been one of UH’s most valuable players this season. Sanchez, a junior college transfer, has made six of eight field goals, including three of 40 yards or more. And he has averaged 44.5 yards per punt.
His 49-yarder in the first quarter was his longest at UH, though Sanchez said he has made good from 54 yards in JC and 57 in high school.
When it came time to attempt the 22-yarder from the right hash mark Saturday, Sanchez said, "I just missed it."
Sanchez said as soon as he put his foot into it, "Yeah, I knew it."
The snap and hold, coach Norm Chow said, "were OK."
It was the first field goal an opponent has missed against the Lobos in 12 attempts this season.
"It’s an unforgiving sport. It’s unforgiving. I mean the kid misses a field goal (and) then all of a sudden we get the ball back and take the ball down the field and score," New Mexico coach Bob Davie said.
Favorite play comes through
The lofted pass to the right side of the end zone is one of receiver Dylan Collie and quarterback Ikaika Woolsey’s favorite plays, but not since fall camp have they been able to employ it in a game.
Saturday, with Woolsey filling in for injured Max Wittek, and Collie having his career-best game, the opportunity was there and paid off in a 27-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter for a 24-14 lead.
It was UH’s first TD pass on the road this season.
"It’s a play we both like and have been waiting for when the time was right," said Collie, who caught seven passes for 113 yards.
"When he got open, I knew we could do it," Woolsey said.
"I gave him our signal," said Collie, who would only acknowledge it was a gesture. "That’s how we roll."
Yet for all his catches, it was an uncharacteristic drop that haunted Collie.
With 10 minutes, 15 seconds left in the fourth quarter the usually sure-handed Collie was unable to reel in an ankle-level pass on third-and-5 with open field ahead of him.
"It was a little kid moment," Collie said. "I got a little too excited and wasn’t focused enough. I was glad I was able to come back and catch the next one (on a succeeding drive)."
Mountain West woes
As if Saturday’s loss to New Mexico didn’t hurt enough, UH — and the rest of the Mountain West — likely took a big shot to the wallet Friday.
Utah State’s stunning 52-26 upset of No. 21 Boise State was expected to knock the Broncos and the MWC out of the running for a big bucks New Year’s Six bowl bid.
The top-ranked team among the so-called mid-major Group of Five receives a New Year’s Six berth and the $6 million that goes with it.
Last year’s Boise State appearance in the Fiesta Bowl was worth approximately $167,000 to the 11 other MWC members. Boise State received about $3.5 million, plus expenses.
"If Boise State had won out I really think there was a very good chance they would have gotten in," UH athletic director David Matlin said.
The Broncos are 5-2 and Utah State is 4-2.
"Unfortunately, the loss impacts us all," said Matlin. "The money could have helped in a lot of areas."
Matlin said, "I just hope the conference can have a good bowl season."
